JSC to meet shortly on Court of Appeal shortage

Mar 29, 2017 News

It is no secret that there is a shortage of judges sitting on the bench of the Court of Appeal. As such, the Judicial Services Commission will soon meet to address the issue which will allow any pending and new appeals to be heard.

The Judicial Services Commission will soon meet to address the shortage of Judges in the Court of Appeal.

This assurance was given yesterday by President David Granger and Chancellor of the Judiciary, Justice Yonette Cummings-Edwards. Both Justice Cummings-Edwards and Justice Roxane George-Wiltshire were sworn in by the president to perform the functions of Chancellor and Chief Justice respectively.
The president was asked about the shortage on the Appeals Court bench.
Granger said that there is a shortage and efforts are being hastened with the Chancellor and Chief Justice to have the Court of Appeal constituted and to have the Judicial Services Commission (JSC) meet to make recommendations and fill the vacancies as quickly as possible.
“I am very confident that the new Chancellor is aware of the shortages and as quickly as the JSC can meet and the names submitted to me, I intend to move ahead.
“I have no interest in perpetuating a situation of which there is insufficient judges. The backlog is being built-up and the swearing in of the Chancellor and Chief Justice is a step in the right direction.”
Granger said that as soon as the JSC makes the necessary recommendations, he will be able to give approval and move ahead. “I think the crisis as you described it as such; will resolve itself in a few days or weeks. It is up to the JSC now.”
The President was also questioned about claims made by the Leader of the Opposition, Bharrat Jagdeo, that he had refused a list submitted by the JSC.
Granger said that he did not refuse but rather withheld approval of some recommendations until the new Chancellor would be in a position to peruse the recommended names.
On the same topic, Justice Cummings-Edwards said that a meeting of the JSC can happen as early as today so that work can commence, paving the way for the appointments.
“A meeting of the members of the JSC will be convened shortly and we will address that situation.”
When asked how short is the Appeals Court of judges at this time, she said that the complement of the Appellate Court is five judges and that with the swearing in of Justice George to perform the functions of Chief Justice, in effect there are now two judges on the bench. Justice B.S. Roy, the other appellate judge, is currently on pre-retirement leave.
She said that it takes three or more judges to hear an appeal. However, as it relates to Chamber applications, those can be heard by a single judge in chambers.
Following the retirement of former Chancellor of the Judiciary, Justice Carl Singh and Justice BS Roy proceeding on pre-retirement leave, the court had been left in a position whereby it could not hear any appeal.
It was reported that the last sitting of the Appellate Court was on February 27, 2017 when a decision was handed down on the cross dressing appeal case.